Friday, December 26, 2008

"26/12/2008 The Israeli occupation army continued its preparations Thursday for military action in the Gaza Strip. Reportedly, a "limited operation" will begin within days that will combine an air attack with some ground operations against Hamas and other Gaza resistance groups.

The Israeli cabinet has given the go-ahead for an operation of a few days' duration with clearly defined goals.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will hold a series of meetings Sunday with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni (called the kitchen cabinet) to discuss the option of a potential Gaza operation.

The meetings Olmert is expected to hold on Sunday will relate to three issues. The first is preparation of the home front: Olmert wants to know what reinforcement of buildings can be completed before military action is taken, and to urgently complete whatever can be completed in terms of reinforcement.

The second issue involves humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza which Israel is to approve during the week. Olmert wants reports on stockpiles of essential items to ensure that a humanitarian crisis does not break out in the Strip during military action.

The third issue involves diplomatic moves to garner international support for military action against Hamas.

A government official in Tel Aviv said there would be no moves before all necessary preparations are in place........"